American Automobile Ins. Co. v. Cone

257 S.W. 961
CourtCourt of Appeals of Texas
DecidedNovember 22, 1923
DocketNo. 7.
StatusPublished
Cited by24 cases

This text of 257 S.W. 961 (American Automobile Ins. Co. v. Cone) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
American Automobile Ins. Co. v. Cone, 257 S.W. 961 (Tex. Ct. App. 1923).

Opinion

SPIVEY, J.

Miss Fannye Moore, one of the defendants in error, brought this suit against Ben F. Cone, the other defendant in error, and against the plaintiff in error, to recover for personal injuries and consequent suffering sustained by her in an automobile accident caused by the overturning' of an automobile owned and driven by Ben F. Cone.

It appears from plaintiff’s petition that she was a guest in the car, along with others; that the accident occurred just at the time of reaching a sharp turn in the highway where it crossed from one side of a railroad to the' other, and that defendant Cone approached this turn at such a high rate of speed, to wit, 40 miles per hour, that he was not able to make the turn and in consequence the car ran into a ditch at the side of the road and overturned. The plaintiff alleged the acts constituting negligence on the part of Cone and the injuries sus-' tained by hep as a consequence, and prayed judgment against-him in the sum of $10,000, and for certain enumerated expenses and lost time aggregating $1,050 additional, and against plaintiff in error for $5,000 thereof, and for costs of suit against both.

As cause of action against the plaintiff in error (hereinafter called insurance company), she alleged that at the time of the, above accident defendant Cone held an insurance policy in the insurance company, which was attached to and made a part of her petition, in and by which defendant Cone was “insured and protected against any loss by reason of accident or injuries described in said policy as a result of the driving or operation or manipulation” of the automobile; “that the provisions and terms of the polios inured to the benefit of injured persons covered ' by said policy, and that the above-described accident and injuries are included and covered by the provisions of said policy;” and that by reason of the issuance of said policy and the facts stated in her petition, the insurance company became liable to plaintiff in the sum of $5,000, that being the maximum limit of the policy under the given facts. She also alleged that the defendant Cone was insolvent and had no property or effects out of which a judgment could be made.

The policy in question contained, among other provisions, the following in substance:

That the insurance company, in consideration of the premium, and of the statements set forth in schedule of statements, “does *962 hereby insure the assured named and described in the schedule of statements” (this was defendant Cone), for the time specified,' “against direct loss or expense arising or resulting from claims upon the assured for damages by reason of the ownership, maintenance, manipulation or use of” the described automobile, to an amount specified in the policy—

“if such claims are made on account of: (A) Bodily injuries or death accidentally suffered or alleged to be suffered by any person or persons, excluding any employee of the assured while engaged within the scope of his employment, as the result of an accident occurring while this policy is in force * * * and in addition to the above, the company does hereby agree:
“Investigation and Defense. (B) To investigate all accidents covered by this policy, and to defend, in the name and on behalf of the assured any suit brought against the assured to enforce a claim, whether groundless or not, for damages suffered or alleged to have been suffered on account of the bodily injuries or death above set forth; and (O) to pay all costs taxed against the assured in any legal proceeding against the assured which is defended by the company in accordance with the foregoing agreement, and to pay interest accruing upon any judgment rendered in connection therewith; and (D) to pay for such first medical aid as shall be imperative at the time of any accident on account of which claim could be made under this section of this policy.
“Family and Friends. (E) That any insurance granted hereunder shall, in addition to the named assured, inure to the benefit of any person, except chauffeurs and domestic servants, riding in” the described automobile, “as well as to the benefit of any person, firm or corporation responsible for the operation of said automobile while said automobile is being used with the express or implied consent of the assured named in the policy or of an adult member of the said assured’s household who is not a chauffeur or domestic servant.”
“This policy is issued by the company subject to the following conditions, limitations and agreements, whüh are a part of the policy, and to which assured by the acceptance of this policy agrees.”

The policy then provides the maximum amount payable in case of injury to one person, and maximum amount payable in case more than one person is injured in any one accident, and in addition thereto costs, interest, and medical aid above mentioned; and that the company shall not be liable’ if the automobile is being used under certain enumerated circumstances and places, not necessary to here name; and that:

“(3) Upon the occurrence of any loss or accident covered hereunder, the assured shall give immediate written notice to the company at its home office in St. Louis, Missouri, or to its authorized agent, with the fullest information obtainable at the time. If a claim is made on account of such accident, the assured shall give like notice thereof immediately after such claim is made, with full 'particulars. If thereafter any suit is brought against the assured to enforce such claim, the assured'shall'immediately forward to the company every summons or other process as soon as the same shall have been served. Whenever requested by the company, the assured shall aid in effecting settlement, securing information and evidence, the attendance of witnesses, and in prosecuting appeals, and at all times render all possible co-operation and assistance. The assured shall not voluntarily assume any liability or interfere in any negotiations for settlement or in any legal proceeding or incur any expense or settle any claim, except at assured’s own cost, without the written consent of the company previously given. The company reserves the right to settle any such claim or suit brought against the assured.”
“(4) No action shall lie against the company for any loss or expense under this policy, except for such loss or expense as assured shall have actually sustained and paid in money after actual trial of the issue. * * * ”

The policy also contains other clauses not necessary to mention.'.

The defendant Cone filed answer to plaintiff’s petition containing general demurrer and general denial, and by way of cross-action against the insurance company he set up the policy attached to plaintiff’s petition, and alleged that he was thereby insured against loss or expense by reason of damages arising from the ownership, manipulation, or use of the automobile in question, and that the accident described in plaintiff’s petition and the person injured are those covered by said policy, and that under said policy the insurance company is liable to the extent of $5,000 of such damages as are claimed by plaintiff in the event of recovery by plaintiff against him; also, that under said policy the insurance company obligated itself to defend in the name of the assured all suits against the 'assured and to pay all costs of court.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
257 S.W. 961, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/american-automobile-ins-co-v-cone-texapp-1923.